History of our studio

Crystal Park dedication

The Park was first dedicated to the public on July 4, 1957. The Land for this Park was donated to the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania by Mr. and Mrs Paul D. Eshelman [3] on January 2, 1956. Crystal Park was originally developed by the Department of Parks and Public Property of the City of Lancaster during the period from March to July 1957.[4].

As of July 4th, 2007 the Park turned 50 years old.

The Park stands on the ruins of a famous Brewery from the late 1800s. In a stretch of time from 1881 to 1886, Lancaster was known for the beer it turned out. A citizen of Lancaster known as Frank A. Rieker, became Lancaster's most successful brewer.[5] Where the Park stands today, once stood the F.A. Rieker Star Brewery, famous for making some of the first Pilsner Beers.

Tavern Trove quotes [6] the history of the area as; Frank A. Rieker, Star Brewery (602-606 West King) 1876-1907. Frank A. Rieker Estate (Star Brewery) 1907-1912. F. A. Rieker Brewing Co. 1912-1920. The Brewery had its operations shut down by National Prohibition in 1920-1933. At the time that the Brewery stood where the Park know exists, and turned out over 50,000 barrels of beer a year. They sold most to the local neighborhood, then called "Cabbage Hill". It was served as take out in "growlers" which was a small tin container, from tap to home.[7]

In front of the Park, F.A. Rieker built a Victorian successful bar, known as the F.A. Rieker Western Market Salon & Hotel. The interior was built with Italian Floor tiles and intricate pressed metal ceilings, expensive wood working and custom boilers. [8] The family gave control to the Brewery, in a shady deal to mobsters in the early prohibition years. They illegally ran hoses through the city sewers, to the taps to Lancaster's finest Saloon. [9]. Most of the massive, six floor buildings were demolished in 1941; so that the efforts to win World War II could be aided. Eventually the land would be passed on to the park and the Market Saloon & Hotel, would become the now Historic Blue Star Inn, which kept the insides intact.

The Park is a founded on much land where William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, actually set aside for the town of Lancaster, PA. This town (which mostly would have been the side of town the park is now on) held much role in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. It is a matter of a mile from President James Buchanan's house. The area of his house is known as Wheatland [10] and many famous homes, mansions and history are home there. Lancaster City, PA is undergoing a Revitalization; and has plans to revamp this whole side of town.[11][12]